Beech A36 accident near Oberlin, Kansas, July 20, 2023
On July 20, 2023 at about 5:36 pm local time, a 1980 Beech A36, registered N36900, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Oberlin, Kansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The blockage of the left fuel tank vent, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident of the pilot’s failure to use his checklist to address the loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 20, 2023 · about 5:36 pm local time
- Place
- Oberlin, Kansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1980 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N36900 · registry record · serial E-1739
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight over a cloud layer, the engine lost power as if it were out of fuel. The pilot attempted to restore engine power by switching to the right fuel tank and activating the starter but was unsuccessful. As the airplane descended through the cloud layer, the pilot switched back to the left fuel tank and then focused his attention on maintaining airplane control. The airplane descended below the cloud layer and the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to a road. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the fuel venting system on the left-wing fuel tank was obstructed by what appeared to be insect debris. No other anomalies were noted during the examination of the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operations. The circumstances of the power loss are consistent with an interruption of fuel flow from the left fuel tank due to inadequate venting of the fuel tank. During the attempt to restore engine power, the pilot did not engage the auxiliary fuel pump as stated in the emergency procedures checklist, which may have aided in restoring engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during enroute (cruise)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Malfunction
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 900 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 20, 2023; 7.2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BB (piston); 3,300 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GCC Gillette WY at 3:00 pm
- Destination: KDHT Dalhart TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observation at 12:35 pm from KOIN, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KOIN 201735Z AUTO 08004KT 10SM BKN032 OVC037 25/18 A3031 RMK AO1 T02510184,M
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on May 9, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Examination Summary | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records Airframe | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records Engine | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records Propeller | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Emergency Checklist | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.